"Epic Mickey" Bringing Steampunk Disney To The Wii
Remember all of those rumors that the Kingdom Hearts series would be coming to the Wii? Well this may not be Kingdom Hearts, but it might be even better. Concept art has started appearing on artist Fred Gambino's website for a project called "Epic Mickey." And quite simply, the art is jaw-droopingly gorgeous, with a dilapidated steampunk sensibility combined with classic Disney.
Some more digging via Kotaku reveals that another concept artist, Tony Pulham, lists work for a Wii game titled "Epic Mickey" on his resume, which further adds to the legitimacy of the project. But who is making this epic interpretation of Disney's classic characters? Why, Deus Ex creator Warren Spector of course.
Yes, according to a Gamasutra article, Spector's company is starting up on a Disney game featuring the iconic mouse mascot, and the style of these "Epic Mickey" images is consistent with something he would develop. Of course, there's still not an official confirmation that Spector's Disney project is the same as "Epic Mickey," but both projects definitely exist. Putting the puzzle pieces together seems to suggest that both projects are one in the same.
Now, "Epic Mickey" is still probably a long way off. The Tony Pulham resume suggests that his concept art work for the game only started this past June. But in the mean time, enjoy these concept images of the game and salivate at the possibilities.
This Looks Like Art From Warren Spector's "Steampunk" Disney Game [Kotaku]
NaviFairy
Posted to Galleries, Hot Stuff, Video Games on 29 July 2009
· Comments (6)
Other stuff like this: concept art, Disney, Epic Mickey, gorgeous, rumor, steampunk, Warren Spector, Wii
There are no words. Disney approves of this? Really? I mean Goofy...the art work...Epic.
I imagine the success of the Kingdom Hearts series made them easier with darker interpretations of their characters. I'm very interested to see how this turns out.
For those who won't read the koraku article check this out,
http://web.mac.com/askbotboy/Site/Environ_concept_3_files/concept_castles.jpg
I'm going to be a wet blanket and say theirs no way the game can match these concepts...
MuddBstrd, that's true, but there's darker, and theres this
http://web.mac.com/askbotboy/Site/Characters_%26_creatures_5_files/beetleworx_6.jpg
In some of these concepts the castle looks freaking creepy, and the Mickey Mouse paint thinner is painting the picture, to me, of a genocidal mickey mouse; which, while awesome, is really doubtful.
Can't wait for this. I'm interested to see the art direction in-game due to the highly detailed artwork.
And as much as I love KH, I hope this is a separate IP, I so want a new Mickey Mouse game, one as epic and fun as the likes of Castle of Illusion and Mickey Mania! xD
Castle of Illusion wont ever be matched, i think... game was way to simple and beautiful.
Hahaha, that said, in my experiences with Disney.... seeing this come to light seems REALLY unlikely, simply because of its dark, character-manipulating tones.. Particularly for the Wii, which has the youngest demographic out of the big three... I'm going to wait to see more before i make any assumptions.
But i WILL say that this game could be more than possible if the plot involves STARTING in a world that looks that bleak, etc, and then "Using the power of Disney" to restore to world to its former, PG-13 glory.
@G
Yeah, that's how I picture it. The paint thinner image immediately makes me think of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (coincidentally another Disney film). I'm thinking the plot would involve some negative outside force trying to frame Mickey and other Disney characters as bad guys, and you need to clear their good name. The Goofy zombie/bot could be one of many impostors created to defame the iconic characters.